NHRC notice to the Government of Tamil Nadu over the death of a pregnant woman after falling from the bike kicked by a policeman near Trichy (08.03.2018)

PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi, 8th March, 2018
The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that a traffic policeman kicked a moving motorcycle of a couple leading to their fall and severe head injuries to the 30 year old pregnant woman, who died on the spot in Thuvakudi area near Trichy, Tamil Nadu on the 7th March, 2018. Her husband was also seriously injured. The delinquent police official reportedly fled the scene when people began to gather at the spot.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, amount to worst example of police brutality and issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. The Commission has asked that the report should include the details about the action taken against the delinquent police official and relief granted to the family of the deceased woman as well as the health condition of her husband and the status of the medical treatment being provided to him.

The Commission expects that the DGP, Tamil Nadu will issue suitable directions to the state police personnel to behave in a sensible manner while on duty and respect the human rights of the citizens.

While issuing the notice, the Commission further observed that police force is meant to enforce the law and protect the people but frenzied actions in exercise of their powers may lead to such unfortunate incidents. Going by the media reports, the woman was not wearing helmet. The police officer could have easily sensed that hitting a moving vehicle may cause grievous injuries to her if she fell down. The Right to Life of the innocent woman has been grossly violated and the circumstances, as mentioned in the media reports, warrant stringent action against the guilty policeman.

According to the media reports, the couple was riding on their motorcycle near BHEL headquarters when a police team asked them to stop. When they did not stop, an Inspector chased them on another bike and after a short distance, kicked their vehicle due to which the couple fell on the ground. The victim sustained head injuries and died on the spot. Her husband was also seriously injured. Later, the doctors at Thuvakudi government hospital declared the woman dead. Reportedly, the police official was drunk and he has been arrested.